“The auditory chaos is unbearable.”
After four months of lockdown, this Philadelphia family of five was suffering. The 17 foot ceiling in their dining room was creating so much acoustical clatter, particularly at meal times, that they were all fraying from the stress.
Particularly affected was Bryan, who is highly sensitive to sound. This condition is called ‘hyperacusis,’ a disorder in loudness perception. People suffering from hyperacusis may appear overly sensitive to a range of sounds, finding many noises unbearable and painfully loud.
When they contacted interior designers, they mostly drew a blank. “Have you tried curtains?”
That’s when they came to Practical Sanctuary. We had plenty of ideas.
Before: 17 foot ceiling
Before: 17 foot ceiling in dining room creates unbearable noise chaos.
Hexagons
One concept sketch: acoustic mural with colorful hexagons.
Basic Acoustic Option
The simplest option for noise buffering: 50% acoustic panel coverage on walls, area rug with thick rug pad.
DiningSideLayout
Once we started knocking down the noise level, it was clear what a big impact it was having on us!
Acoustic solutions can range from custom-designed acoustical mosaic murals, to photo art custom-printed on acoustic panels, to simple designs which integrate seamlessly into the existing interior. We worked with the family to narrow down the infinite number of options to one which suited their style.
After a number of ideas were filtered out, we settled on a pattern of acoustical panels which accentuated the family’s signature artwork, while maintaining the design of the room. We discovered a custom fabric which the family loved, and used it to cover two large panels for the dining room and stairwell, acting as joyful pieces of art which also buffer reflected sound.
Hallway After
Custom fabric covers a large acoustic panel in high-ceiling stairwell with gray walls.
Dining After Love
Dining room side view, acoustic panels which integrate with existing artwork and layout.
Dining After
After: Acoustic panel with custom fabric acts as a noise buffer and joyful piece of artwork which captures the family's cheerful style. Area rug with extra-thick padding further reduces noise.
Kitchen Wall After
Sound is further buffered in the kitchen with the addition of two photo prints on acoustic panels, and a padded bench.
Within a few weeks, we had substantially reduced the noise level in common rooms of the house, without making substantial changes to the layout or overall style. In our client’s words:
“Stephanie had clear, practical advice and a partner she trusted — and her solutions were far less expensive than I had been fearing! She’s great at keeping a project moving, and we had substantial improvements in a very short period of time. The kitchen in particular is a much more enjoyable place to spend time.
On the whole, the space is much brighter, quieter, and has much more positive energy. We have 2 other children in the house daily with a learning pod, and I’m very happy we did this project. Once we started knocking down the noise level, it was clear what a big impact it was having on us!”
Sensory Interior Design Case Studies
Case Studies in Sensory Interior Design
The Eccentric Genius Habitat Intervention
Your space, your nervous system.
Most of us were never taught how our bodies actually experience a room–the light, the sound, the layout, the smell–and what happens when those things work against us instead of for us.
This free seven-day course is a gentle introduction to sensory design. Each day brings one exercise–noticing what you feel, photographing what you’ve been editing out, dreaming about what you actually want. The exercises are all optional, and you can go as deep as you like.
By the end, you’ll understand more about why certain rooms drain you, what your body knows about your home, and how to start shifting without stressing out.
Sign up below. Your first email arrives within the hour.
Practical Sanctuary, sensory interior design, specializes in interior design for highly sensitive people.
We help you create spaces which are:
